A5083838863- Pregnancy and preeclampsia studies
- Birth, Development, and Health
- Gestational Diabetes Research and Management
- Neonatal Respiratory Health Research
- Prenatal Screening and Diagnostics
- Fatty Acid Research and Health
- Pregnancy and Medication Impact
- Vitamin D Research Studies
- Folate and B Vitamins Research
- Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
- Metabolism and Genetic Disorders
- Renal and related cancers
- Amino Acid Enzymes and Metabolism
- Reproductive System and Pregnancy
- AI in cancer detection
- Endometriosis Research and Treatment
- Extracellular vesicles in disease
- Neonatal Health and Biochemistry
- Maternal and fetal healthcare
- RNA modifications and cancer
- Molecular Biology Techniques and Applications
- Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Studies
- Drug Transport and Resistance Mechanisms
- Genetic Syndromes and Imprinting
- Assisted Reproductive Technology and Twin Pregnancy
University of Southampton
2016-2025
Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital
2024
Peking University Shenzhen Hospital
2024
NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre
2019-2024
Harvard University Press
2024
University of California, Davis
2024
Guangzhou Women and Children Medical Center
2024
Guangzhou Medical University
2024
Southern Medical University
2024
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
2019-2023
The placenta is a fast-evolving organ with large morphological and histological differences across eutherians, but the genetic changes driving placental evolution have not been fully elucidated. Transposable elements, through their capacity to quickly generate variation affect host gene regulation, may helped define species-specific trophoblast expression programs. Here we assess contribution of transposable elements human as enhancers or promoters. Using epigenomic data from primary...
The factors determining fatty acid transfer across the placenta are not fully understood. This study used a combined experimental and computational modeling approach to explore placental of nonesterified acids identify rate-determining processes. Isolated perfused human was uptake 13C-fatty release endogenous acids. Only 6.2 ± 0.8% maternal taken up by delivered fetal circulation. Of unlabeled released from lipid pools, 78 5% recovered in circulation 22 Computational indicated that...
Pregnancy 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations are associated with maternal and fetal health outcomes. Using physiological human placental perfusion villous explants, we investigate the role of placenta in regulating relationships between 25(OH)D physiology. We demonstrate active uptake
Poor early growth is associated with Type II diabetes, hypertension and other features of the metabolic syndrome in adulthood. It has been suggested that this results from development a thrifty phenotype by malnourished fetus. Such would predispose offspring to obesity if born into conditions over-nutrition. The present study aimed determine nutrition affected subsequent obesity. Mice were established as follows: (a) controls (offspring control dams), (b) recuperated dams fed low-protein...
In rats, maternal anaemia during pregnancy causes hypertension in the adult offspring, although mechanism is unknown. The present study investigated renal morphology of rats born to mothers who were Fe-deficient pregnancy. Rats fed either a control (153 mg Fe/kg diet, n 7) or low-Fe (3 mg/kg 6) diet from 1 week before mating and throughout gestation. At delivery, Fe-restricted (IR) anaemic; IR pups also anaemic growth-retarded at 2 d age. 3 16 months, systolic blood pressure offspring (163...
Fetal growth depends on placental transfer of amino acids from maternal to fetal blood. The mechanisms net acid efflux across the basal membrane (BM) syncytiotrophoblast fetus, although vital for transport, are poorly understood. We examined hypothesis that facilitated diffusion by transporters TAT1, LAT3 and LAT4 plays an important role in this process, with possible effects growth. Amino was measured isolated perfused human cotyledons (n = 5 per experiment) using techniques which...
Fetal overexposure to glucocorticoids in utero is associated with fetal growth restriction and postulated be a key mechanism linking suboptimal cardiovascular disease later life. To develop model predict maternal-fetal glucocorticoid transfer. We hypothesized placental 11-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-type 2 (11β-HSD2) would the major rate-limiting step maternal cortisol transfer fetus. used deuterated tracer ex vivo perfusion model, combination computational modeling, investigate role of...
Experimental methods that allow examination of the intact vascular network large organs, such as human placenta are limited, preventing adequate comparison normal and abnormal development in pregnancy disease. Our aims were (i) to devise an effective technique for three-dimensional analyses placental vessels; (ii) demonstrate utility vessel networks fetal growth restriction (FGR) complicated pregnancies. Radiopaque plastic FGR placentas (n = 12/group) created by filling vessels with resin...
We have reported that blood pressure was elevated in 3-month-old rats whose mothers were Fe-restricted during pregnancy. These animals also had improved glucose tolerance and decreased serum triacylglycerol. The aim of the present study to determine whether these effects maternal nutritional restriction, at 3 months age, can be observed same later life. Pulmonary angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) concentrations measured investigate renin–angiotensin system involved elevation offspring...
Transfer of glucose across the human placenta is directly proportional to maternal concentrations even when these are well above physiological range. This study investigates relationship between and fetal transfer placenta. d-glucose, 3H-3-o-methyl-d-glucose (3H-3MG) 14C-l-glucose isolated perfused placental cotyledon was determined for arterial d-glucose 0 20 mmol/l. Clearance 3H-3MG or not affected by in either circulation. Based on reported KM GLUT1, would be expected show signs...
Both maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations during pregnancy and placental amino acid transporter gene expression have been associated with development of the offspring in terms body composition bone structure. Several genes vitamin response elements their promoters suggesting possible linkage these two mechanisms. We aimed to establish whether 25(OH)D D-binding protein (VDBP) levels relate transporters. RNA was extracted from 102 samples collected Southampton Women's Survey,...
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) causes increased transfer maternal bile acids to the fetus and an incidence sudden fetal death. Treatment includes ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), but it is not clear if UDCA protects fetus. This study explores placental transport taurocholate (TC) by organic anion–transporting polypeptide, (OATP)4A1, its effects on proteome vascular function, how these are modified UDCA. Various methodological approaches including villous fragments Xenopus laevis...
Multi-scale structural assessment of biological soft tissue is challenging but essential to gain insight into structure–function relationships tissue/organ. Using the human placenta as an example, this study brings together sophisticated sample preparation protocols, advanced imaging and robust, validated machine-learning segmentation techniques provide first massively multi-scale multi-domain information that enables detailed morphological functional analyses both maternal fetal placental...